3D Printing an Overdrive Knob

[Karl Wescott]

I pretty much agree. 3D printing is just another tool in the tool box. I would basically use it to duplicate parts that are already plastic of some sort like bakelite. As to it being slow - that is true but not a big problem. The knob takes about an hour to print but I just get it started and leave it and do something else. Earlier last summer I made my second version of a CNC Router/Laser with mostly printed parts. Some of the pieces took up to 17 hours to print so I just ran the machine basically 24/7 and used up almost 3 Kg of filament until it was done.

Regarding your pictures, I'm wondering if these are printed items. I have done some investment casting in aluminum but have not tried the "Lost PLA" investment casting which allows you to print a part in PLA and cast it in metal.

I have used pla as an investment with both good and poor results. Visible layers tend to be magnified during the investment process, and the difficulty of getting a fine surface on the down side where there are support layers limits the process. Best results happen with a pure pla, minimum infill, with no fillers or pigments that may be difficult to burn out when firing the ceramic shell. On the up side a pla investment is a lot stronger and tends not to break in oopsies that shatter a wax investment. Overall I have found molding the wax to be more efficient for me at this time. I have also seen where actual wax is 3d printed, though I understand it is difficult due to the wax filament being brittle and a relatively low melt structure.

 

[itslow]

Metals with any structural value simply are not happening, except for some aluminum requiring a 10+K printer.

Not happening at the hobbyist level, but can/does happen at the industrial level since the equipment to build such parts is incredibly expensive (six figures).

 

[kirkf]

3D Printing is available as a service in almost every city. That gives you access to the top level equipment without buying it.

Kirk

 

[pistonbroke]

Very nice Job on the OD knob. I'm curious about your choice of transmission. I did a OD conversion to a 51 F1 and to this day it is a flat head V8 freeway flyer. Tim PS. the OD lockout knob always goes on the right side of the wheel in fords.

 

[Eagle43]

Very nice Job on the OD knob. I'm curious about your choice of transmission. I did a OD conversion to a 51 F1 and to this day it is a flat head V8 freeway flyer. Tim PS. the OD lockout knob always goes on the right side of the wheel in fords.

I put in an R10. I think it came out of a Mercury car. Do you have a picture of an F1 dash with the OD knob in the factory location? I don't think Canadian F1s came with an OD or a six option. The guy I bought the transmission from had one himself in a 1952 F1 and I just copied his location.